Until I started working as an inspector, one place I never considered visiting was the remote and tiny city of Churchill, Manitoba.

But thousands of visitors flood the tiny town in October and November, for the sole reason of seeing polar bears (the town is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”). ... Read More

Indianapolis is buzzing in anticipation of hosting Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012. While final preparations are still being made, it’s important for both local residents and out-of-town guests to understand how standard traffic patterns are going to change for the event, especially around Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indiana Convention Center and the Super Bowl Village along the downtown area’s Georgia Street.

In fact, the Indianapolis Host Committee has prepared a variety of tips (noted below) to help with navigation into and around the Circle City.... Read More

AAA reminds motorists that cars need seasonal checkups to maintain safety and maximize operational efficiency.  Regular maintenance and seasonal checkups can also help prevent unexpected repair costs in the future. 

AAA recommends that motorists use a simple checklist to determine their vehicle’s fall and winter maintenance needs. Many of the items on the list can be inspected by a car owner in less than an hour, but others should be performed by a certified technician. ... Read More

While many drivers gear up for winter, AAA also recommends preparing your vehicle for summer driving, particularly in parts of the country with extreme heat. Here are preventive maintenance steps that can help keep your vehicle running smoothly:

Battery Your battery’s two worst enemies are heat and vibration, which lead to internal breakdown and eventual failure. Heat causes faster evaporation of the battery fluid, leading to corrosion on terminals and connections. Clean any corrosive buildup from the battery terminals and cable clamps, and ensure the clamps are tight enough that they will not move. To minimize vibration, make sure your battery is securely mounted. If a battery is more than three years old, have it tested by a trained technician to determine how much longer it will last.... Read More

We'll come to the rescue of about 8.7 million stranded motorists between Memorial Day and Labor Day. However, there are three easy maintenance tasks any driver can perform to reduce their chances of becoming stranded, improve the safety of their road trip and even save a little money:

1. Inspect All FIVE Tires
Many motorists may be confused when told to check five tires, however AAA has found ... Read More

Amtrak is calling "all kids — young and old" to join the coast-to-coast celebration of train love. On Saturday, May 7th, hundreds of National Train Day festivities are taking place across the country including four major events in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Chicago.  Activities include free live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kids’ activities, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains, and of notable private railroad cars, and much more. For complete information about where events are taking place, visit NationalTrainDay.com.  Amtrak offers AAA and CAA members 10% discount off passenger fares with 3-day advanced booking.See AAA.com/Amtrak. 

After driving hundreds of thousands of miles over the past decade inspecting hotels, restaurants, campgrounds and attractions, I've found it is all too easy to just spread out the road map or use TripTik Travel Planner to help determine the most efficient route to get from one place to another. I would guess that most people do the same thing without consulting additional sources of information.

Many areas of the southwest part of the country are experiencing severe drought conditions once again due to the current El Nina /El Nino climatic phases originating in the South Pacific Ocean.  That, combined with persistent strong winds and tinder-dry grasslands and trees, sets the stage for wildfires. Yesterday, I was driving in west Texas with the closest town some twenty miles behind me when I noticed some smoke on the horizon. ... Read More

As a result of drug-cartel related border violence, the U.S. State Department today issued an updated travel warning.  Some colleges and universities have also recently issued travel warnings advising their soon-to-be spring breakers to stay north of the border. AAATravelViews has also received several questions on this topic via the Q&A section. 

     AAA has responded by encouraging travelers to heed travel warnings, while noting  that the violence which spurred the State Department travel advisory is fairly isolated and has not been reported in resort areas or on the major highways leading to popular destinations. In addition: 

- It is important to remember that crime and violence are not confined to one region or area. Crime and violence can occur anywhere.

- Destinations in Mexico are going to be popular for spring and summer travelers, given their affordability and proximity. All travelers, no matter their destinations, should utilize common sense and exercise caution while on vacation

- Because laws in Mexico differ from laws in the U.S., Mexico-bound travelers are encouraged to consider the following in order to enjoy a seamless vacation:

Be prepared for border requirement laws. U.S. citizens 19 years of age or older are required to present both a government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship, such as a passport or a birth certificate and driver’s license. Citizens 18 or younger will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate. Passports and birth certificates must be original or certified copies, photocopies will not be accepted.

If traveling by vehicle, buy Mexico auto insurance. U.S. auto insurance is not valid in Mexico, even though some companies extend their coverage a certain number of miles from the border, Mexican officials will not recognize this. If a collision occurs, a Mexican auto policy is the only form of insurance the authorities will accept as evidence of financial responsibility. If you cannot provide Mexico auto insurance, you could be arrested and sent to jail.

Pack smart. Leave valuables and other irreplaceable items at home.

Bring copies of important documents. Make copies of your passport, birth certificate and driver’s license and store them separate from the originals.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a friend or family member at home. Include approximate arrival and departure times as well as destination information so that people know where and when you are expected and how to get a hold of you in case of an emergency.

Obey all laws. In Mexico, you are assumed guilty until proven innocent. This means that if you are arrested for any reason, you may be jailed until you can prove your innocence. 

Stay with your party at all times and avoid sharing your travel itinerary with people you meet on vacation.

If you plan on renting recreational vehicles, such as jet skis and ATVs, use caution. These may be uninsured, underinsured or not covered by your personal insurance. Read the rental contract carefully and do not operate these vehicles recklessly. If you incur damage to other vehicles or people while operating a rented vehicle, you could be arrested until full restitution is made.

Drive carefully. When driving in Mexico, remember that speed limits are posted in kilometers rather than miles per hour. Obey the speed limits and other traffic controls, even if others motorists are ignoring them.

If driving, pick your return day and time carefully. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, peak wait times at the border are Sundays and Mondays between noon and 7:00 p.m. Avoid returning on these days and arrive at the border before 9:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. to reduce delays.

Be prepared with all required documents for everyone in your traveling party before approaching border patrol agents. Be sure to answer all questions truthfully and declare all items acquired while in Mexico. The amount you may bring back into the U.S. varies by region. For additional information on document requirements and prohibited or restricted items, travelers can visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Here’s some advice for anyone planning a San Francisco visit: You don’t really need a car. Due to a chronic lack of parking spaces, some very steep hills and frequent traffic congestion, driving is more of a headache than a convenience. But fortunately this city provides a number of public transportation alternatives, and you’d be wise to take advantage of them.... Read More

These tips from husband-and-wife bloggers Elizabeth Harryman and Paul Lasley first appeared in Westways, the magazine of the Automobile Club of Southern California.

From our 25 years of traveling and reporting on the travel industry, we’ve learned a lot about what not to do on the road—some of it the hard way. Here are five things that top our list.

1. Never let your passport expire. By now, you’ve probably heard Elizabeth’s mantra: “You should always have a current passport, because you never know when someone will invite you to Paris for the weekend.” Well, many countries stipulate that your passport ... Read More